Identity is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been the subject of much philosophical debate. One of the most fundamental questions about identity is whether it is situated in time. In other words, do we have a single, unchanging identity that persists throughout our lives, or is our identity constantly changing and evolving?
There is no easy answer to this question. On the one hand, it seems clear that our identities are shaped by our experiences and the choices we make throughout our lives. For example, the person I am today is very different from the person I was when I was a child. I have different values, beliefs, and goals. I have made different choices, and I have had different experiences. All of these things have contributed to the person I am today.
On the other hand, it also seems clear that there is some continuity in our identities. We can still recognize ourselves as the same person we were years ago, even though we have changed in many ways. This suggests that there must be some core aspect of our identity that remains constant over time.
So, what is this core aspect of our identity? Some philosophers have argued that it is our memories. Our memories of our past experiences help to shape our sense of self. They provide us with a sense of continuity and identity. Without our memories, we would be like a ship without a rudder, drifting aimlessly through time.
Other philosophers have argued that our identity is based on our character traits. Our character traits are the enduring dispositions that make us who we are. They include things like our personality, our values, and our beliefs. Our character traits are relatively stable over time, and they provide us with a sense of consistency and identity.
Still other philosophers have argued that our identity is based on our relationships with others. Our relationships with our family, friends, and loved ones are some of the most important things in our lives. They help to define us and give us a sense of belonging. When we lose someone close to us, it can feel like a part of us has died. This is because our relationships are so central to our identity.
So, what is the answer to the question of whether identity is situated in time? The truth is, it is both and neither. Our identities are shaped by our experiences, our memories, our character traits, and our relationships. All of these things contribute to the person we are today. However, our identity is also constantly changing and evolving. We are not the same person we were yesterday, and we will not be the same person we are tomorrow. Our identity is a work in progress, and it is always evolving.
The death of an archetype can anchor us as young forever. When we lose someone who we admire and identify with, it can feel like a part of us has died. We may feel like we can no longer relate to the world in the same way. We may feel lost and alone. However, the death of an archetype can also be a time of growth and transformation. It can be a time to reflect on our own lives and to decide who we want to be. It can be a time to let go of the past and to embrace the future.
In Hitchcock’s Vertigo, James Stewart’s character is unable to accept the loss of his loved one. He keeps looking for her, finds a look-alike and then sets about transforming her, Pygmalion-like, into a reincarnated version. His identity thus lives on, in the clay golem he recreates.
The death of an archetype can be a difficult time, but it can also be a time of growth and transformation. It is a time to reflect on our own lives and to decide who we want to be. It is a time to let go of the past and to embrace the future.